Sorry, but this page requires javascript to function correctly. Please enable javascript in your browser and reload the page.

Sweatworking: Networking at the Gym?

Mike Michalowicz

CEO, Provendus Group

I am the author of Profit First, The Pumpkin Plan and The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur

You don’t have to stuff your face at an expensive (and potentially fattening) restaurant to establish a connection or network with a client or potential client. You can sweat alongside them at the gym instead. Sure, guys have done this for decades on the golf course or basketball court, but now more and more women are taking their networking to physical venues, like the gym. It’s called “sweatworking,” and its popularity is exploding, especially with exercise addicted clients and consultants who welcome the chance to get in gym time on the clock and call it a legitimate business meeting, Brigid Sweeney of ChicagoBusiness.com writes. Don’t want to pump iron? There’s pilates, yoga and dance classes, rock climbing and other activities in addition to weights and workouts. Clients who are exercise adverse, or out-of-shape can always decline, or you can be discrete in who you invite to the gym. It’s women who are driving the trend by utilizing boutique fitness studios, but men are getting in on the trend too, and clients are loving it.

Typical often translates to boring. Another typical business networking event, sounds like another boring business networking event. The idea of combining an activity with networking is nothing new. . . just think about all those popular golf tournaments you’ve heard about (or participated in) over the last few decades. But there's a problem with golfing. It takes a long time, it’s expensive and rain or weather can ruin the event. In today’s hyper fast, low cost world, the idea of networking at the gym, or in-between downward dog yoga poses, is ideal.

As long as you have share a fun experience with a client or a prospect, the goal is attained. Connection is of utmost importance, not wheeling and dealing. Even if you are pumpin’ weights, shooting baskets or jogging together, you will still have time to talk business as well as bond over the activity. Start your own sweatworking and stop resorting to boring, stale networking.